Around Here editor/writer

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black promised a “new vision” for agriculture in the state as it faces challenges in the future during a speech Monday at the annual banquet of the Clarke-Oconee Cattlemen’s Association.

“Our objective should be in government to keep people in business — to help provide jobs for Georgia and provide a culture where people can succeed,” said Black, a Jackson County resident in his first term in office.

“I will fight for agriculture. That’s my promise to you for the future,” said Black, who talked about his new staff and how numerous employees in the department are being cross-trained to handle more duties in safety inspections.

The annual banquet is a time when the group hands out awards. Bishop cattle farmer Thomas Branch was named Cattleman of the Year and Hunter Grayson of Watkinsville was recognized for the Outstanding Service award.

Karl Berg presided over the banquet, as he heads into his second year as the chapter’s president.

The Larry Risse Cattlemen’s Association college scholarships were awarded to Julianna Cook, a student at Auburn University, and Daniel Moore, a student at the University of Georgia.

Georgia Cattlemen’s Association representative Melvin Porter of Jefferson urged the gathering to recruit new members to the association which has about 4,500 statewide.

“We have a team working on exporting beef outside the U.S.,” Porter said about a major effort by the organization. “And this has been a real shot in the arm for us.”

However, he warned that on a daily basis the group has to address issues raised by animal-rights advocates and environmental groups.

Branch, who received the association’s annual award that goes to an active cattle farmer, is a lifelong resident of Oconee County, where his family goes back to 1820. Branch’s grandfather, Otho Branch, farmed a vast acreage in Bishop at one time and owned the town’s cotton gin.

While Branch has worked 30 years as an engineer in UGA’s architecture office, he keeps his hand in farming the land he inherited.

“The land has been passed down from generation to generation. You either use it or rent it or you sell it. I didn’t want to sell it or rent it, so I use it,” he said. “Most of the Branch land was in row crops for 150 years, but that’s pretty much gone out around here.”

Branch raises beef cows and sells the calves when they reach about 500-600 pounds.

“One good thing about it is you don’t have to be there 24 hours a day. It’s not like being a dairy farmer,” he said.

“I get a lot of support from my family — my wife and children — on the cattle operation and I couldn’t do without it,” Branch said.

Branch praised the efforts of Berg and other officers with the local cattlemen’s association, but said he had no idea he would receive the award before the banquet.

“It was a total surprise,” he said. “I had no idea.”

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